Almost a new car owner!!

I just have time for a quick blog before I get to sleep. I'm working at the fair this week at night and I am so tired from my first day.
I got off work a little early today to go to Scott Will Toyota to test drive the 2009 Toyota Yaris 4-door sedan. It was different to driving the hatchback, but was still very good. The biggest reason that I decided to test drive it was because when I met with the salesman yesterday to talk about the 4-door hatchback (2010) he said that his boss really wanted to get rid of the sedan. It only has about 60ish miles on it. So I went in to test drive...talked him down to a price in my range... =) and tomorrow I take the paperwork to the bank to get everything situated...if all goes well, I should be able to drive it off the lot tomorrow...........I'm very excited. Not excited about the car payments by any means, but excited to have my own car again.
So I just have a few more details to work out, but I am so very excited. As soon as all that happens, I'll be posting pictures. =)

Thanks to everyone who's been praying for the situation and helping me out in other ways.


Also, quick update on Gpa Baker. Mom told me today that he went back into the hospital today...they thought the pneumonia was coming back, but after looking they found that something was going on with the spots on his lungs (I don't know the exact details b/c I'm really bad with medical terms). So the doctors were trying to decided if they should put in a shunt(sp?) or start him on chemo...I'll keep everyone updated as I here more info.

Thanks again everyone!!

Until next time.....

Car drama...well sorta...

Okay, so I went car shopping today in Cola. I talked with the dealership on Friday and was under the impression that the car that I wanted (2010 Toyota Yaris--5 door hatchback) was at the dealership. Well...when I got there, the salesman (who's name is Gollie--pronounced "Goalie", yes, that's his real name) went to get the car, and pulled up in the 3 door hatchback. While the 3 door is very cute, I told him I was actually interested in the 5 door hatchback and was under the impression they had it on the lot. So he went and checked while Erin and I sat in the car checking out the features. He came back to say that it actually hadn't been delivered to the lot yet. So we test drove the 3 door, just to see if I was going to like the car.
Confession: I do.
The one thing I was sure if I was going to like was that everything is the middle...speedometer, gas gauge, everything. It's actually pretty neat. The wheel doesn't obstruct your view and gives the car extra storage...basically 3 glove compartments.
So we talked a little and he said he would give me a call when it came on the lot. About 30 minutes later, he called while we were at Panera Bread eating lunch. Turns out that the car hadn't gotten there, but they sold it on Thursday........
So...back to square one essentially. So I've been calling other dealerships in the area to see if anyone else has one. Hopefully the wait will be short...just pray that the Lord gives me peace, because I really like this car. It gets great gas mileage. It's just a great car, plus it's cute. ;P
I know that only girls will understand "it being cute" is important.
We shall see. I'll keep everyone posted...

Car issues

Alright, well, to make a long story somewhat short...I was in the Walmart parking lot yesterday afternoon and when I went to try to leave, my car made a horrible sound (I would try to describe it, but I couldn't find those letters on the keyboard).
[[Side note: in the Walmart parking lot there are usually a lot of little birds.....I thought that I could have possibly killed one. Imagine how that would sound and you pretty much got it.]]
So I called Fulton Auto (where I normally take my car) and they came and towed it. They called me this morning and told me that it was the engine...I don't remember the specifics (one, because I'm not mechanical at all, and two, my brain shut off when they told me that it was the engine...and how much it was going to cost).
My Dad called them this afternoon and they explained everything to him...I don't remember everything, but I do know that there was some fluid where it wasn't supposed to be and something about the pistons. But they won't really know everything until they take the engine apart.
Right now I'm just trying to figure out if it'll be better to just get something [relatively] new or buy a new engine. So we shall see...
So to all of you people out there in blog world...please pray that I have peace in what I should do... I'm not afraid of making a bad decision...it's just really stressful. It's definitely the kind of decision that you want to take time making, but it's not something I can take too much time to make a decision.

Psalm 56 "in God I trust, I will not be afraid"

Ocean Isle Beach.

One of several pictures I took on my 4.6 mile walk Saturday morning on the beach....that's right, 4.6 miles.
Let's just say that I did not realize that it was 2.3 miles from the beach house to the pier.
FYI: it's not a good idea to walk 4.6 miles, on the beach, barefoot...unless you want to have aching muscles the next day.
Lesson learned...lesson learned. On the upside, I do have a decent tan on my neck, back, shoulders and arms now. =)
More pictures to come very very soon.

Ocean Isle

Friday Night Sunset at Ocean Isle Beach, NC

New project.

Happy Labor Day!
I think today was a very productive day. Though they may not be tasks of note that I accomplished, they are accomplished tasks all the same. Washed the dishes, purchased a few shirts, spent some time with friends that I haven't in a long time (what a wonderful time that was), and I even did a load of laundry. =) Today was a good day.

So I've decided (fairly recently...just now really) that I am going to start posting a daily picture. I shall try to start tomorrow, but since I'm having all four of my wisdom teeth taken out tomorrow, I may not start for a few days. If I remember to do this daily, it will become a habit...and I think that it will help my artistic eye develop more. We shall see...we shall see....

So yey for wisdom teeth surgery.
I'll let y'all know how it goes as soon as I'm able ;)

Gpa Baker and some other things.

Hey everyone,
I wanted to give you all an update on a few things.
First, Grandpa Jack (Mom’s Dad). He was diagnosed with Myasthenia gravis a few years ago and had to have his thymus removed. For those who don’t know about Myasthenia gravis, and not a lot of people do, it occurs in 200-400 people out of a million. It’s a autoimmune disorder that causes muscle weakness (his eyelids were drooping and that’s how they found it…who knew?). He’s had problems breathing, but only when he was in high altitude, so he was able to handle it. He was still having regular check-ups and such and a few weeks ago he went to the doctor because he was having even more problems breathing. Right now they’re in IL, so it’s not because of the altitude. When he went to the hospital they met with a new neurologist who told them about plasmapheresis which is basically a plasma transfusion. The doctors was surprised that his previous neurologist had not recommended him having these done before his surgery. This is a treatment that can be done once a month and will make him feel a lot better. They also found some spots on his lungs. They are cancerous, but they haven’t decided what they are going to do about them until he goes through no less than 6 treatments. He had his first on Tuesday; it took a little longer than normal because he has thick blood. The treatments they did Wednesday and Thursday went well, he’ll have today off and start back Saturday (they can only do three consecutive at a time). Everyone in the family is in better spirits now, Grandma was having a hard time talking about it, but we are all hopeful. I’ll keep you all posted on that and share more details as I get them.
Also, my (Mom’s brother’s wife) Aunt Meredith’s sister and brother-in-law work with animals in Hollywood (they live in Acton, CA). They have been close to the fires in the past few years, but have never been directly affected until this year. My aunt sent us an email that said "there are some structures still standing (their house is intact), but much of the ranch burned to the ground or has extensive damage. Steph and Hayden are doing ok and staying in a hotel while waiting to be allowed back on the property...Keep all of the prayers for them going; they have a long way to go to rebuild what was lost." You can see an interview on this link that shows some of the damage: http://www.cbs19.tv/Global/story.asp?S=11021725&nav=menu1493_2
I know my family (and extended family) would appreciate prayers.
I’m having my wisdom teeth taken out on Tuesday, so I'll post updates after that.
Thanks bunches…A

Kahula coffee and a cinnamon muffin.

Today was a Baker's Sweets coffee morning. So I went to get my coffee and arrived at the office. A student, who I've helped several times, came in around 9:45 and brought me a muffin from Baker's.

It's nice to be appreciated. I'm not saying that so everyone will go out and by me coffee and muffins (although I won't object to it...), but it's just nice to know that going the extra mile for students really does make a difference.

I enjoy (maybe too much) doing things for people without them knowing...so it's nice being on the other end.


His compassions ... are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. I say to myself, "The LORD is my portion; therefore I will wait for him." The LORD is good to those whose hope is in him, to the one who seeks him.
Lamentations 3